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does not speak spite, or show it either, to Pembroke's boys, and he treats them full lovingly." |
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"That may be true, but they are older than Adam. Moreover, I do not want Adam in the king's train. I do not like what I hear about the men John has about him. I have had my differences with my grandfather and with Simon, too, on the subject of honor and duty, but when all is said and done I know that without them a man is no more than a two-legged beast. Adam" |
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"You do the child an injustice," Ian interrupted hotly. "He has high pride, and his soul is clean of evil. A little mischief is nothing. He owns a fault bravely, even when he knows he will be whipped for it." |
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"Yes, because he has been taught honor, and he has had as examples only Simon and youeven Beorn has a rough honor. Perhaps you are right and he would hold fast to his early teaching, but why put such a burden on a youngling? Why tear his soul? Why make him ashamed of the master he must serve? There is another thing. Simon's lands are new bought and new seissined. There is no long loyalty to the lemagne arms and name. Adam must know the art of war and know it well. He will need to overmaster his vassals before their loyalty is perfect." |
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"What the devil do you think of me?" Ian burst out furiously. "Will I let a man deny my son his right?" |
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"Ian, Ian." Alinor took his face between her hands and kissed him. "You cannot shield him forever. Some day he will need to face them, God willing he live to be a man. Once he has his spurs, he must fight his own battles. You cannot even go with him to advise him, or the men will credit you, and he will be nothing in their eyes." |
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He gnawed his lower lip, and Alinor remembered Simon doing that when his heart warred with his head. Likely Ian had picked up the habit from years of watching it. His face was rough with beard stubble, and it |
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